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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Aged 48. Pregnant naturally and unexpectedly.

78 replies

BabaGanouche · 31/07/2021 01:25

So worried. Just had a positive pregnancy test (or five tests to confirm) that I am pregnant again at 48. I have two other children born in my forties. First planned at 40, second a surprise miracle at 46. Both healthy and incredibly advanced for their ages. Anyone had a good outcome with a natural pregnancy this late. I really don't know what to do. I will have the harmony blood test, but even if this is okay, I'm not sure I can go through with this pregnancy. Anyone been in a similar situation. Advice desperately needed. Thank you. So happy with the two I have got, but terrified of having another when I will be 49.

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RandomMess · 07/08/2021 09:11

Congratulations hope all stays well, you are clearly just fertile!

BabaGanouche · 15/08/2021 02:04

Quick update. Blood tests all good. Bubs looking strong and healthy. Just wanted to post to give encouragement to others who may be in the same predicament.

Who else feels that women should have more updated advice on middle aged pregnancy? I know a couple of women who have been led to believe that they are practically infertile beyond 45, only to fall pregnant. I have read that there are many women in their forties having abortions because they were convinced they can no longer get pregnant.

Surely there needs to be a more nuanced discussion surrounding pregnancy past forty. Especially, as it isn't such a rare event.

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SequinsandStiIettos · 15/08/2021 03:20

Had an unplanned one at 42. He's laying across me as I type! Grin
Best wishes and good luck to you Xx Brew Cake Flowers

BabaGanouche · 15/08/2021 03:51

SequinsandStiIettos how lovely. Cherish that little one. I worship my little two year old munchkin. Lol don't know how i'll feel with the bump edging his/her way interested in okay. But so grateful this little cherub has a big bro and on their side.

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SequinsandStiIettos · 15/08/2021 06:53

Oh baba, he's not little anymore! Grin He's 8!!! He keeps me young though. All the best with the rest of your pregnancy x

BooseysMom · 15/08/2021 07:47

Wow what amazing news! Congratulations Flowers

I had DS at 3 months off my 41st and we have been sort of ttc for a few years, or just not using any contraception, and nothing has happened. I'm 49 and am more accepting now of DS being an only. He's happy as we are.
But I was terrified when we found out i was preg after 3 months of not realising and thinking the strange periods I was getting was the menopause!
Wishing you well with your pregnancy Smile

BabaGanouche · 15/08/2021 09:40

BooseysMom thank you so much for your good wishes.

Just noticed that my last post doesn't make sense due to over enthusiastic spell checker lol. Here is what I meant to say.

I worship my little two year old munchkin. Lol don't know how he'll feel when the bump edges his/her way into our family. But so grateful this little cherub will have a big bro on their side.

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bubblebrain · 19/08/2021 11:57

Hi! First post on here and find myself suddenly in the same position. 46, three girls two of which are well into high school and one aged 10. I thought I was stressed and pre menopausal but found out last night my bloated feeling is that of a very much unexpected pregnancy. So good to read you’re doing well good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. I’m hoping my head will kick into gear very soon and feel excited rather than embarrassed and petrified!

CovidPassQuestion · 19/08/2021 14:40

This happened to my friend last year. Mid 40s, eldest at university, younger two in secondary school. She kept feeling under the weather, getting anaemic, then struggling with stomach pains. Started with bloating, and was fearing either ovarian cysts or cancer...it was a baby! He's one now, completely healthy and gorgeous, just starting to chase his siblings around. Grin

At least you'll not have a big age gap, and have clothes/cot/equipment you can re-use! Smile

Cruiser123 · 19/08/2021 14:52

Congratulations. 😊 I'm 34 and currently 11 weeks pregnant with my second. I already feel like one of the "older mums".

It just shows that you're very fertile and healthy, you should be proud of that x

MarshaBradyo · 19/08/2021 14:54

Lovely to read this

Congratulations Flowers

BabaGanouche · 20/08/2021 03:15

Congratulations bubblebrain. I was your age when I gave birth to my second. Easier pregnancy/birth than my first. And amazingly, I seem to have an energy unlike with my first. I wonder if psychologically I felt that my second was my last chance saloon. Please don't worry. I'm sure you'll be fine. X

CovidPassQuestion absolutely. I now wished I'd kept hold of all the 0-18 mths clothes/equipment. But at least I have pushchair, cot, highchair and post 18mths stuff lol. X

Cruiser123 Trust me, you are still a baby. Lol had my first at 40. Felt ancient by the so called standards of society. Thankfully where I live I don't feel like the most ancient mum at the school gates ...it's rare in my area to have a young mum as most are 30s/40s. Late pregnancies run in my family. Oldest natural pregnancy at 51 (not that I'm saying that this is a good thing). Our bodies are indeed amazing, but nature also has a twisted sense of humour 🤦 Btw two of my friends have just announced pregnancies at 41 and 45. Both natural and unexpected. Good luck x

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BabaGanouche · 20/08/2021 03:16

MarshaBradyo thank you x

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BabaGanouche · 20/08/2021 04:02

Btw still haven't told my wider family. I feel like a teenager, afraid to tell our folks that I am having a baby. Dread to think what ntjeu are going to think of the situation. My mil actually told nmy husband after my second born that the has a responsibility to make sure I don't risk another pregnancy (at my age), while my dad was a bag of nerves during both of my previous pregnancies. I am planning on going as long as I can without saying anything, until I absolutely have to 😬

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Circlesroundandround · 20/08/2021 18:53

Just here to say thank you 💐
I am in a similar situation. Discovered this week I am unexpectedly pregnant. I am in my 40s. We have two children in secondary school and one at nursery. My head is a whirlwind to say the least. I just don’t know how things are going to pan out. Not generally an anxious person but so many concerns this time round. I have started reading up to help me calm the run away train in my head but there appears to be so much negativity about 40+ pregnancies. Reading your story and the other replies has helped some what. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and enjoy your bonus baby.

Now to pluck up the courage to tell my husband.

Babyghirl · 20/08/2021 19:57

@BabaGanouche
Lovely to read your story congratulations on your pregnancy, I'm 38 ttc number 1 have had 4 miscarriages and 1 cp and thought I was maybe a bit to old but there's still hope. 💚

BeauxRingarde · 20/08/2021 19:59

Honestly, I think women are given contradictory advice. Mostly, that it's pretty much a miracle to get pregnant after 45

It's not contradictory, it IS incredibly rare.

user1493494961 · 20/08/2021 20:17

Congratulations, lovely updates.

SwimmingUnderwater · 20/08/2021 20:17

My sister had her second at 46. Good luck with it all OP
and congratulations!

MaMelon · 20/08/2021 20:21

Congratulations! Hope it all goes well Smile

One of DH’s clients has just found out she’s pregnant at 54! A bit of a shock for her and her DH as you might imagine.

Iusedtobecarmen · 21/08/2021 16:05

I meant to comment on this yesterday.
Congratulations OP this is wonderful. Y ou should be super proud and the fact you conceived naturally , it's meant to be.

I'm selfishly posting for some tipsGrin
I'm a similar age and would love another baby.
Are you super healthy?
Do you take supplements? Have lots of sex?Blush
I'm a healthy weight
Good diet
Dont smoke
Do drink
Take various supplements
But maybe not enough sex!!
I did get pregnant at 43 with a surprise but had early mc
Conceived other children in 20s and late 30s.
I need tipsSmile

BabaGanouche · 21/08/2021 22:28

Thank you everyone for your good wishes.

Iusedtobecarmen, I wouldn't say I was in tip top condition tbh. I love my red wine a bit too much. And lockdown saw me snacking more than usual. Consequently, I could certainly afford to lose a few pounds.

But on the whole, we tend to eat a pretty healthy diet, similar to a Mediterranean style diet. Plenty of fish, especially oily fish like salmon and mackerel. Good quality organic meats and chicken. Whole grains wherever possible, and legumes. And a lot of fresh vegetables and salads, and olive oil. Post lockdown, I also try to snack on nuts and houmous instead of crisps etc. I also eat a boiled egg every morning for breakfast. So, I do ensure I have plenty of good proteins in my diet. I rarely have sweet things. Simply because I don't have a sweet tooth, so I never crave them. My particular vice is cheese, absolutely love the stuff. I also drink a lot of water and decaf tea. We also tend to have a couple of vegetarian or vegan dinners each week. We rarely have ready meals or heavily processed food.

Supplements wise, I have recently been taking good quality B complex vitamins and ACE & D supplements. Prior to this pregnancy, and due to lockdown, I wasn't going to the gym regularly, but I am a big walker.

On to sex: not as much as we'd like with a toddler to look after lol. But I do have regular cycles, and I definitely feel most in the mood mid cycle. Sorry for too much info, but I do notice that my discharge around this period is at its most fertile so to speak. And I generally feel more in the mood for sex.

Talking to others who have been TTC over the years, most have said that the main thing that helped them was monitoring their ovulation patterns each month and upping intercourse during their fertile window.

But mostly, if you're pretty healthy with balanced hormones, I think it's a game of chance. Although I did have a colleague (who must have been early forties) contribute her pregnancy to a supplement from the US to increase egg quality (forgot what it was, but some fertility clinics in New York found it improved egg quality in their older patients undergoing treatment). Wish I had more answers for you.

Hoping you get lucky xx

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Vallmo47 · 21/08/2021 22:35

Congratulations OP!

BabaGanouche · 21/08/2021 23:42

Circlesroundandround, it is scary isn't it? I felt ancient enough at 46 having my second. But honestly, it was a breeze. I felt so great all through pregnancy and delivery went well. I think I even coped better with the sleepless nights than with my first. Wishing you all the very best xx

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BabaGanouche · 21/08/2021 23:43

Vallmo47, thanks so much x

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